AP
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Wells is sick and tired of hearing complaints about the Big Ten in general and Ohio State in particular. Assertions that the Big Ten is not as good as the SEC, ACC or Big East makes Wells’ blood boil. He is also sick and tired of hearing about Ohio State’s 41-14 loss to Florida in last year’s national championship game.
“They can talk a lot of trash about us and the Big Ten, but that has nothing to do with how we will play against LSU," Wells said. "We will be ready, and we will play our best game.
“I’m tired of hearing people talk about how Ohio State has no speed. Ohio State’s not this. Ohio State is this. We are Ohio State, and we’re going to show up.”
Wells believes Ohio State’s running game will be able to open up a few holes in the Tigers defense. LSU gives up 103 yards per game on the ground, ranking 14th in the nation.
The overall ranking may be impressive, but LSU gave up 385 yards rushing to Arkansas and 201 to Ole Miss. Florida and Kentucky both exceeded their season-long averages against LSU as well.
“I think if you really look at the film, teams could run on LSU,” Wells said. “So I really wouldn’t say that’s one of their strengths.”
By calling out the Louisiana State defense, Wells is putting a lot of extra pressure on himself. He’s not the least bit worried about it.
Before the start of the season, Ohio State coach Jim Tressel told Wells what the coaching staff expected from him. Wells, who was replacing NFL-bound Antonio Pittman, needed to be a “warrior” who would play with aches, bruises and injuries. He needed to rally his teammates.
That proved to be just fine for Wells, who ran for 1,463 yards and 14 touchdowns on 254 carries during his sophomore season. He was at his best in Ohio State’s season-ending 14-3 win at Michigan, punishing the Wolverines with 222 yards on 39 carries.
The performance against Michigan was something Wells had waited a lifetime to achieve. The Akron, Ohio native played with his heart on his sleeve throughout the game and teammates noticed a tear or two in his eyes that day.
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“He’s the best back in the Big Ten, in my opinion.”
Wells knows that he had a lot of passion before the Michigan game, but it was all harnessed so he could play his best when his team needed him most.
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Not only did Wells have his best game against the Wolverines, he did it despite playing in pain because of a badly injured ankle.
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Miami coach Al Golden says the worst is behind him, but his headaches figure to continue now that former booster Nevin Shapiro, now in jail, says his involvement with the Hurricanes program will result in stiff penalties.
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